The Rudd Government has committed to establishing a dedicated ABC children’s digital television channel, ABC3.

“The ABC has always played a strong role in Australia’s national identity and I expect the new children’s channel will provide significant cultural and social benefits for Australian children,” Senator Stephen Conroy said.

The Rudd Government’s commitment to a digital ABC children’s channel forms part of the government’s response to the Australia 2020 Summit. It was flagged prior to the last federal election with a re-election commitment by the Howard Government, but was put on the backburner by the new government. Funding will not be announced until the budget next month, expected to cost between cost $25 - $30 million a year.

The new digital channel will be the only dedicated children’s channel available free to Australian homes and will operate in addition to existing children’s programming on ABC1 and ABC2 until the analogue switch over.

“The ABC Children’s Channel will broadcast child-appropriate content for 15 hours per day and will be complemented by a variety of interactive elements and online content.”

[b:459ceba9a3]It is expected to be on air before Christmas.[/b:459ceba9a3]
[/quote:459ceba9a3]
http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2009/04/government-backs-abc3-kids-channel.html

[quote:960b535a0f][b:960b535a0f]ABC3 to launch December 4th[/b:960b535a0f]

The ABC’s new children’s digital channel, ABC3, will launch on December 4th, according to The Age.

The date was revealed in an article on managing director Mark Scott’s appearance before a Senate hearing in Canberra yesterday.

The network will have a media launch unveiling the new channel this Thursday night.

Amongst some of the other points of interest from the hearing were:

- hosting programmes on iView for long periods after they have aired affected potential DVD sales by ABC shops.
- eventually ABC wants to offer every programme on iView for two weeks, with customers able to watch it on their television sets.
- Bananas in Pyjamas, to be co-produced in Singapore, will not screen first on ABC3.
- ABC wants a new complaints system that allows viewers to contact programs directly and for corrections to be made more swiftly.
[/quote:960b535a0f]
http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2009/10/abc3-to-launch-december-4th.html

I don't understand why ABC2 has to extend it's children programming from 9am to 6pm on weekends and weekdays, according to a website I read (KidsScreen tv or something to that affect). That means unique programming on ABC2 on weekends during the day will be gone.

They should keep ABC2 as it is, and move most of the programming to ABC3 and keep the kids programming on ABC1. Why make ABC2 suffer out of this?

Although the kids channel is a good idea for the network, I don't see why ABC2 should suffer out of it it's timeshifting and unique programming on weekends.